The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-21

earth a river that will, in its most impor
tant aspects, compare with that monarch
stream which flows throughthe center .oi
this valley; n stream which, with its tribu.
tarics, stretches across 20o of latitude
and 500 Of longitude, and one which
in the language Of that distinguished
civil engineer 10 whom such touching and
appropriate reference has been made, flows
through n plain called the alluyial basin.
and that through LOO miles from III
mouth covers an area Of 10000 SQUARE
miles composed entirely Of its " de,
posits, and which in wonderful fertility
SURPRISES the Nile; that, as q factor in. our
prosperity, statistics show that the internal
commerce of this valley exceeds more
than III times the entire foreign com.
mcrcc Of the United States; that il pro.
duces 30 per cent. Of the corn, 70 per
cent. Of the wheat, 80 per cent. Of the
oats, 81 per rent. Of the tobacco, and 81
per cent. Of the live hogs grown in the
United States.
"As n political factor, as | remarked upon
a late public occasion, we have in that
majestic river and its tributaries an aston.
lshlng assurance Of our strength and unity.
| lApplause. Binding together, az il does
with It's tributaries, in commercial and 10.
cial bonds that are i~rrevocable, more than
hall our country, ~ long as that mighty
river shall flow IL will give uttorance 10 the
solemn Introduction that what. God has
Joined together lot not man put asunder."
Prolonged applause. CHANGING, for n
moment only, ut the needs Of this grand
valley and its rightful demands upon the
federal government for assistance such as
liz IN requires, allow me TO say
that as more than 20 per cent. Of our for.
eign exports, or Of the exports OF this
valley, are conspicuous alike for their bulk
and their weight, and are remote from
ocean navigation through which they
reach their ultimate destination, the cry
ing and paramount need OF the people Of
tins valley IN cheap, adequate and reliable
transportation. lApplause.
1T being conceded that 80 per cent. Of
our foreign exports are composed Of agri-
cultural products and II in through these
products that W. realize that income that
has filled our national Golfers 10 overflow
ing, and OF Of these exports this valley has
contributed more than 70 per cent.-there
can be no question Of the right Of this peo-
pie TO demand, and the duty of Congress
TO grant, all necessary facilities for the
transportation Of these products, and Mt
The least possible expense to the producer.
Applause. So far as the Mississippi
river and liz nayigable waters aro con
ccrncd, these being under the immediate
jurisdiction and control 81 the federal
government and subject TO It's laws, there
can be no question rs 10 the duty OF thai
government Ia render these national high
ways ~ available ~ they can be made for
The demands OF commerce. [Applause. |
II be objected that 10 construct an artif-
cinl waterway Is beyond the jurisliction
and power OF Congress, | repeat what |
have said, that this valley, in consideration
OF It's national Importance, has a right 10
demand every available outlet 10 the
scaboard lapplauseb aud II Congress
has no power or jurisdiction 10 build an
artificial waterway or a canal that shall
provide this outlet Ia the ocean through
the great northern lakes. and TINS weld to-
gcthcr those inland sras with the mighty
iathcr Of waters, ~ lac beans his priceless
freight Ia the southern gulf--by what an.
thority, ] ask, do they cndow educational
Institutions out of The national treasury
and confer upon railroad corporations sub
sidics out Of the public lnds amounting 20
hundreds OF millions In vIhtc, aud TO un
extent that would swallow up European
p~rincipalities and empiNs2 (Applnusd.
These artificial highways, usuiul and noc.
es-ary NJ they are, are mo equivalent Tor
water carriage, because all who are lamil.
lar with the fncis and statistics know that
transportation by the one mode viii cost
rom four "a five times ~ much M nv tho
other and therefore thoy do not meet our
necessities.
Looking, then, 90 tho nasonableness of
.NfE .NHH..WU.NH WnN a. aL-.-
the federal government, there can be- no
doubt that all that IL necessary 10 sfcun, a
prompt and nm active ncngnilion 6fi ihrSo
demands Is that the people of tliis valley
and those specially Interested shall stand
together, make common cause and prta,nl
an unbrokcn and determined front CAp.
plausc As ! look out Upon this grand
assembly ! see rcprcscntatl ves here from
almost cvcry portion of this TERRITORY Tint
is drained by the Mississippi and its tnb.
u%iaries, and many others outside Of that
limit, whose presence here today We hail
with joy. Let us take IL for granted. lei
us huprand believe, that We have all met
here today IN brethren around a commnn
altar, with unnnimity Of purpose, and for.
getting III in the past that has tended 10
ALLEVIATE or separate us. Tho only contest
among US nov shall hc, Who shall cudi.
cate from his bosom the last ycstigc uf acc.
tionnl jealousy aud luminosity, and who
shall be foremost In promoting the general
welfare and augmcnhng tho glory Of our
common country. Applause. And let n
voice ~ forth from this han, potential
MS the voice of many wntcDs. that shall un.
stop deaf cans aud shall quicken into active
motion theInwcrst that bc ~ Washington"
Applause.
When Judge Clnpp had concluded his
SPEECH, aud after Secretary BRYAN had con.
sumcl about two minutes in pinning a
beautiful badge made specially for the prr.
siding officer on the lapel Of his coat.
hc rusc aud introduced Ohc Hon. James
NJ. Gpcr, who had been ~ approximately
ChOsen tO deliver the address OF welcome.
Mr.. Gpcr spoke in a clear, distinct voice,
a. follows, and WAS often interrupted by
Nociicrous applause:
iup0E ourrR', AppRrss.
"a great city great even In lis sorrow.
ful past, great In liz vigorous prp.cnt.
grtatCr In its shining CERTAIN uuw-
throws open its ghtcs and bids Won vel.
come. Standing un the hanks Of that un.
tanned river, which, as the mnin artery u
% continent. carries ihc lie blood of
nations in its lluw. she levels GA the MOURN
lul wash ui o. llVuy waves, iu the muir.
mur ui iS oloual Cuuryni, tho pulse bent
III American civilization civilization
], Us r~ysIlcHs. a. progressive and as
matches ls hpr Own Mlaieippi
Catching flm thusc waves which va.h
hrr bluff slmrlu,bg " their own mighty
strength, fhp. iu rHnWuu with ypUruNUt
bga gathered h,u ID tp solve mo problem
VI tanning lhii restless hood.
"As year alter year pus.GE us hy We
have seen our pr,moyal forests swallowed Z
iu tIr itru iuva DI mfu'4 rr,rr...